salvation Archives - Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel

Kurt Steinbrueck July 22, 2021

Blog Adoption, salvation

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You Are My Child

“And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” – Mark 1:11

Whose child are you?

A while back, right after Christmas, I saw a couple of very touching videos. Each of the videos was of foster children receiving the wonderful Christmas gift of being adopted into their foster family. That Christmas day, they received the gift of being told they were loved.

They received the gift of being called someone’s son or daughter.

Our verse today is from Jesus’ baptism. After Jesus came out of the water the Spirit descended like a dove onto Him and a voice from Heaven, God the Father, said,

“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

The Son of God had come into the world to redeem and save His people…to redeem and save you. In His baptism, Jesus joined with us. It was a baptism for sinners. He had not sinned, but He was numbered with the sinners. He was numbered with us.

Now, in baptism, we are adopted into the family of Christ.

Your sins have been washed away and God calls you His child! Having been washed in the waters of baptism and cleansed of all your sin, these words of the Father now are said to you,

“You are my child, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

It may seem strange. Those words were said about the perfect Son of God. How can they be said to you? You have been made new. You have had your sins removed. Christ’s righteousness has been put on You. You are God’s child. So, YES! Those words are for you, now.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for sending Your beloved Son so that I could be washed in the waters of baptism and welcomed into Your family. When I feel lost or lonely, worthless or hopeless, help me to remember that I am Your child, that You love me, and that through faith in Christ You are well pleased with me.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck May 14, 2021

Blog salvation, Sanctification

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God Promises A New Heart

“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.“
-Ezekiel 36:26

How is it that we change after we are saved?

When criminals who have been in prison for a long time are released, they often have difficulty adjusting to their new life and re-integrating into society. Some ex-prisoners are released with just a few dollars and the clothes on their backs with no family to help them out. The chances of someone in this situation committing a crime and returning to prison are very high.

However, some people have started working with ex-prisoners to help them get job training, secure a place to live and share the love of Jesus with them. Giving them the skills they need and a new purpose for life can have a huge impact on whether they will return to prison.

More Than Just Salvation
We all start life as sinners in need of a savior. The Bible describes us as spiritually dead and having hearts of stone. God could have just offered a means of forgiveness and left it at that, but He didn’t. He went bigger than that…much bigger!

Through faith in Jesus Christ, God not only promises forgiveness, but He promises to give us a new (living) spirit. He promises to remove our old heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh, one that is living and compassionate. God doesn’t just forgive us, He changes our life…He gives us life!!

It is because of this new heart that we can love God and start to live as one of God’s children. Sometimes we can feel like it’s all up to us to live for Jesus. To use the analogy above, it’s like God got us released from prison and then said, “Good luck.”

That’s not how it works at all, God has given us new life and is constantly working in us to change our hearts and minds to be more like His. He not only gives us good works to do but works in us the will to do them.

“for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” – Philippians 2:13

Thanks be to God!

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and thank you for also giving me a new, living spirit…Your Spirit, and making me alive in You. Help me to live with my new heart of flesh, seeking You and having compassion for others.

Amen

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck April 28, 2021

Blog Comfort, god, I Am, jesus, salvation, truth, two in One

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A Tale of Two Persons

“And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,” – Apostles’ Creed

Jesus is fully God and fully man.

He is true God:

‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ – John 8:58-59

He is true man:

“By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.” 1 John 4:2-3

There have been many people who denied Jesus’ dual natures. Some of the ideas people have put forth are…

Jesus was a man who God inhabited at his baptism and then left just before his death.
Jesus is part God, part man, like a superhuman being.
Jesus was just a man and we have made Him out to be God.
Jesus is God but wasn’t truly human, He just looked human.

The Bible, however, makes it clear. Jesus is God as much as the Father and the Holy Spirit. In His deity, He is almighty, eternal, all-loving, all-knowing, and deserving of all glory, honor, and praise. Jesus is also fully human, like you and me. He got hungry. He slept. He felt pain. He bled. He died.

Why Does This Matter?

He Is Our Salvation.

In His humanity, Jesus stepped into our world, He took on our sin, and He died in our place. That’s right, the eternal, almighty God, bled and died for you. He stood in our place and is the sacrifice that forgives our sins.

In His divinity, Jesus was perfectly obedient to the Father (did not sin). He overcame death and rose from the dead. He ascended on high and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

He Is Our Comfort.

Jesus, as God and man, offers a comfort we would not know otherwise. His humanity assures us that we have a God who understands us. He knows our suffering and has been tempted in every way (though He did not sin) (Heb 4:15). His deity assures us that He can handle any situation we face and that all His promises are true.

It can be hard (perhaps even impossible) to comprehend Jesus as both God and man. Often, we tend to emphasize more of one nature than the other. However, I pray that we always hold onto our understanding and belief that Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Dear Jesus,

You are God and You are man. Help me to remember that I have a God who understands me because You became man. Help me also to remember that I have God who can deliver me and who will always keep His promises.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck April 15, 2021

Blog Christian Life, salvation

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Not Just A Doorway

Not Just A Door

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” – Colossians 2:6

What do you consider Jesus to be?

It could be an interesting experiment. Try going around to people on the street and ask them,

“Who is Jesus to you?”

I’m sure you would get a variety of answers. One I expect you would hear more than once is, “Jesus is our savior.” Jesus, Himself says,

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” – John 10:9

Jesus is our savior. This is absolutely true. He is the door. If we believe in Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we are given eternal life in Heaven. No one gets to Father except by Jesus. However, Jesus is not JUST saving us from hell and getting us into Heaven nor is He JUST our savior.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life…and so much more.

Are you curious about truth and wisdom? Look to Jesus. You cannot know the truth or be wise without Him.

Do you want to have a truly fulfilling life? Look to Jesus. He is the only source of spiritual life and He blesses our earthly life as well.

Do you want to have a genuinely good impact on the world around you? Look to Jesus. He will work in you so you can have an immediate and eternal impact on people’s lives.

Do you want to be rid of guilt? Do you want to have hope even in bad times? Do you want to have peace? Look to Jesus. Look to Jesus. Look to Jesus.

Our salvation is just the beginning of the new and amazing life that Jesus gives. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Constantly be looking for ways to grow in your faith, learn more about God, and bless others.

The Good Life
I remember a quote from Bart Simpson

“I figure I’ll go for the life of sin followed by the presto-change-o deathbed repentance.” – Bart Simpson

Bart just thought of Jesus as a door, a way into heaven. He thought he’d be missing out on all the great things in life by turning to Jesus early in life. The life of sin was the real good life. He was wrong. In fact, Bart would be missing out on the good life his whole life.

The life Jesus offers is a good life. It’s not always easy or fun, but it is good, loving, and filled with peace. Jesus is the door and that door not only leads to heaven, but also to an amazing life right here and right now.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for saving me. Help me to continue to live in You, rooted and built up in You, strengthened in the faith as I have been taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 30, 2021

Blog God's will, salvation

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O That You Would Be Willing

O, That You Would Be Willing

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” – Matthew 23:37-39

Does God really want to save you?

When we reflect on our lives and consider God’s Law, we may find ourselves struggling with that question. Does God really want to save me? Maybe He’d rather just get rid of me.

This passage from Matthew reveals the answer to that question and shows the amazing compassion Christ has for us. Jesus is about to enter Jerusalem and be arrested, falsely accused, whipped, beaten, and killed. Even still He longs for the people to be saved! In the Gospel of John, we’re told Jesus weeps for the people.

Yes, God really wants to save you!

In 2 Peter, the Holy Spirit inspired Peter to write:

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

As the Contemporary worship song puts it, “This is Amazing Grace!” God, knowing our rebellious hearts which are set against Him still wants to save us. He was still willing to die for us that we might live.

Yet, we, like those in Jerusalem, can resist. We can refuse to allow God to gather us up and give us life. O, that you would not resist. O, that you would receive His amazing grace.

It is because of His amazing grace that we are able to say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” We need not fear His return for He has redeemed us, washed us clean, and called us His own.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for saving me. I believe in You. Help me in my unbelief. Be with those who do not yet know You as their savior. Work faith in their hearts and may they not resist You that they may live.

Amen

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 13, 2021

Blog Restoration, salvation

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Restoration and Salvation

“Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” –

Have you ever saved something someone else was going to throw away?

Curb Alert!
A few times a week, I see posts in my neighborhood Facebook Group for “Curb Alerts.” Curb alerts are when someone is going to throw something out, but they think someone else might want it. So, they put it out on the curb and post a picture. Whoever wants it, can just drive by and pick it up.

When people swing by and pick up a curb alert item, they are saving that item from being thrown out. Most curb alerts are successful in finding someone who wants the item, but sometimes the item simply stays on the curb for the trash guys to pick up.

Why are some things left on the curb?

While curb alerts do extend the life of many items some items are just too damaged, out of style, or gross for people to take. These items would have to be renovated and restored to be worth saving.

God doesn’t leave you by the curb.

The truth is that we are pretty damaged and gross by sin. God would have every reason to just ignore the curb alert for us, but God doesn’t work that way. No one is too damaged, gross, or out of style for God.

There’s a show on Netflix called, The Repair Shop. It’s described as:

“Expert artisans restore timeworn family heirlooms with touching sentimental value while also uncovering their uniquely rich histories.”

That’s what God does for us. He doesn’t just save us, He restores us with His expert hand. God doesn’t save us only to have a bunch of filthy, broken sinner laying around in Heaven. He removes all the dirty sin, fixes all the damaged parts, and makes us new again in a way no one else can.

Is it time for a curb alert?

The curb isn’t a fun place to be. It’s scary to be out there, away from your comfort zone. You may wonder whether God will really decide to come get you. You may feel too damaged and dirty.

You don’t have to fix yourself first with God. You don’t have to clean up your act first. Let God do that. He doesn’t save us because we are in good enough condition to be worth saving. He saves us because He loves us and values us. He saves us because we are His precious creation, worth restoring at any cost, even the cost of Jesus’ life.

In fact, it’s God who issues our curb alert. He takes us out of our comfort zone. By His Spirit, working through His Word, He brings us to the curb of repentance where Jesus picks us up and restores us.

Heavenly Father,

I’ve been used and damaged. I’m soiled with sin. I need to be restored by Your loving, expert hands. Thank You for saving me. Thank You, also, for not leaving me damaged and filthy, but cleaning me up and restoring me.

Amen.

Tomorrow, I hope you will come to worship. Come as you are. Receive God’s forgiveness and grace.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 2, 2021

Blog Jesus saves, salvation

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Water, Jesus, and Reality

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” –

How long can the human body live without water?

The general rule of thumb is that a person can live for about 3 days without water. However, if you are in high heat and exertion you may only survive for a few hours without water. On the other side of the coin, there have been people who survived far beyond 3 days, like Andreas Mihavecz who apparently was accidentally left in a jail cell for 18 days without food or water.

The simple reality is the human body needs water to function. We can’t survive without water. Even if you don’t drink plain water, you are still getting water in whatever you do drink as well as the food you eat.

What if someone didn’t want to drink water? What if, instead they said,

I want to drink mercury! (Don’t do this)

They may have their reasons. Mercury looks cool, being silver and reflective. It’s also liquid at room temperature, just like water. At the end of the day, however, it doesn’t matter what reasoning a person may have or how much they want to drink it. If you drink mercury instead of water, it will lead to madness, vomiting, and then death.

The reality is there are things people need to survive. We need water, oxygen, food, and sleep. Some studies have even indicated that people, especially children, who don’t experience love suffer greatly and some even have died.

We All Have Needs
We accept that the human body has certain needs. It’s just reality. No amount of wishing it wasn’t so or wanting something different can change that reality.

The Bible is very clear. There is only one name by which we can be saved. Faith in Jesus is the only means of salvation. It’s just a reality. It doesn’t matter if we don’t like it or if we want some other savior. We can’t be saved without Jesus.

It’s not mean or intolerant to say this.

Just like it isn’t mean or intolerant to say people need water to survive. It’s just true. In fact, it would not be loving to tell people they can believe in whatever god they want and still be saved. That would be like telling someone they can drink mercury if they really want to and it will be fine.

We can look at it another way, as well.

God has blessed us with water and salvation.

Some look at the declaration that salvation only comes through Jesus as restrictive and unfair. However, what it really is is God blessing us with exactly what we need. We don’t need alternatives because God has already provided the perfect solution.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you water and food and salvation. You have provided exactly what we need for life and salvation. Protect me from the lie that I can choose from multiple sources of salvation and help me trust in Jesus, alone. Help me, also, to be able to speak the truth of Jesus’ salvation in love to those who do not believe.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck February 27, 2021

Blog salvation

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The Rock

“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” – Psalm 95:1

Do you like building sandcastles?

For a Floridian, I don’t go to the beach all that much. However, there is one thing I’ve noticed over the years when I’ve gone to beaches that have both sand and large rocks.

Sand Shifts – Every time I go, the things in the sand are different. Sandcastles and dunes are there one time and gone the next. Similarly, if you’re a boater, you know that boating lanes have to be dredged from time to time or they get filled in. Water, wind, people, and animals all shift the sand. In fact, sand shifts so easily, that it’s hard to run or walk in the sand because the act of walking shifts the sand.

Rocks Stay Put – What doesn’t change about the beach is where the large rocks are. Unless someone has come along with a bulldozer or some big equipment, the rocks will be there in the same place every time I go to the beach. When you walk or run on a big rock, it doesn’t shift at all.

God is the Rock of our salvation.

Our salvation isn’t shifting around like sand. It isn’t changed by our walking around through our lives. It isn’t changed by outside influences, like time, other people, the devil, or death. It isn’t even shifting by the ebb and flow of our trust in God or our righteous works or sin.

Why?

God is the foundation of our salvation…not us and not anything of the world.

You are saved by grace.

The only thing that can affect our salvation is if we reject our salvation. In other words, if we jump off the rock, we are no longer standing on the rock.

God is a sure foundation.

So, we don’t need to worry. We can have great joy. God has saved us through Jesus Christ! So, let us sing for joy whether our faith feels strong or weak, whether we just did something righteous or sinful, whether our life is going the way we wish or we are struggling. For God and our salvation have not changed.

Heavenly Father,

You sought me while I was a sinner and pulled me out of my sinful death. You have given me new life and set my foot upon the rock. You do not shift like the sands. You are my rock. You are my salvation.

Amen.

I hope you’ll join me in singing for Joy to the Lord tomorrow at church (11am). See you there!

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

PS – There’s a song I’ve enjoyed for a long time that fits this devotion perfectly. It’s called “Shifting Sand” and is by Caedmon’s Call. Enjoy!

Kurt Steinbrueck January 29, 2021

Uncategorized grace, salvation, saved by grace

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Jars Of Clay

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7

Does your life look like that of an exceptional saint?

“5 Steps to Slay Your Giants Like David”

“Never Sin Again”

“How To Live Your Life Fully For God”

Perhaps you’ve seen books with titles like these or YouTube videos. They promise to tell you how you can become the super Christian you are meant to be…but is that really what the Bible says we are supposed to be?

Heros of the Bible
The Bible tells us the historical and theological truths from God. All the stories of the “Biblical heroes” actually happened. It can be easy to start to think that these heroic moments are the norm. However, we need to remember two important facts when reading the Bible:

The accounts recorded in the bible take place over thousands of years.
The accounts recorded in the Bible tell of a few people out of the millions (or maybe billions) who lived during that time.

When we read that Sampson had incredible strength and could do mighty deeds, keep in mind that were lots of other people around who weren’t unusually strong or doing mighty deeds. Elijah called down fire from heaven, but this isn’t how the typical Israelite started their campfire or how the normal sacrifice from a priest was consumed.

Most people were ordinary people living ordinary lives and doing ordinary things. They ate and worked and raised their kids. They went to worship, heard the Word of God, and went home. Not only that, but they sinned…a lot.

The David of Bathsheba Rather than Goliath
Not long ago I heard someone make the case that we need to change how we do Sunday School for kids. They talked about how kids grow up thinking these heroes were amazing and that’s what their life should look like. He said that was something he struggled with for years. Then they said,

“I think I would have been better served hearing more about David and Bathsheba than David and Goliath.”

His argument was simple. David was a sinner just like we all are. Maybe we need to talk more about David (and all the people in the Bible) and his many sins and how God still loved him, drew him to repentance, and forgave him. As sinners, that’s the more relatable message and the message we really need to hear, the message of a sinner being saved by a gracious and merciful God.

Jars of Clay
This is the point of 2 Corinthians 4:7. Christians aren’t super-human or sinless. If we were, people might think we were responsible for our own salvation. Rather, we are ordinary and sinful. We are like jars of clay. Nothing special in and of ourselves and easily broken.

What makes us special is what we have inside, Jesus. We have a treasure of immeasurable value that is not from us, but all the work of God so that people (and so we) can see that our salvation and even any “great deeds” we may do are wholly and completely from God.

So, if you look in the mirror and see a plain old pathetic jar of clay, that’s ok. The real treasure you have isn’t how great, beautiful, powerful, or righteous you appear to be. It’s the gift of salvation from a gracious and merciful God who loves you, draws you to repentance, and forgives you.

Heavenly Father,

Keep me ever humble and repentant that the real treasure of Jesus would shine in my life to everyone around me.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck December 22, 2020

Uncategorized salvation

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The Long Game

“[Zechariah said,] ‘Praise be to the Lord, God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he said through his holy prophets long ago.’” – Luke 1:68-70

Do you have a one-month budget?

Do you have a 1-year plan? How about a 5-year plan? 10?

Most people tend to think short-term. The question that goes through our minds, whether we realize it or not, is,

“How will this action affect me now?”

If something will make us feel good, now, we want to do it.

Some people think a little further out. They may plan a week or a month ahead. Maybe even a year. This allows people to consider other consequences to their actions beyond just the immediate effect. They can even start planning a few steps ahead.

Long-Term Thinking
The best generals, financial planners, and chess players think several moves ahead. They consider their resources, the effects of their actions on themselves, what others might do in response, and how those all move them towards (or away from) their ultimate goal. The question that goes through their mind (and they are fully aware of it) is,

“How will this affect my ability to reach my ultimate goal?”

There are many challenges to long-term thinking. It requires insight, self-honesty, and time. It also requires sacrifice.

You may want something immediately, but need to give that up for the sake of your ultimate goal.

For example:
Let’s say your goal is to become completely debt-free in five years. One day you visit a friend’s house to watch a movie and you are amazed by their 80-inch super high-definition TV and surround sound. It makes your 40-inch TV seem pathetic. You may want to go out and by a new TV and sound system, however, if you want to achieve your debt-free goal, you will need to sacrifice the immediate satisfaction of a new TV so you can meet your ultimate goal.

God Thinks Long-Term
In Zechariah’s prophecy, He points out that Jesus’ coming and God’s plan of salvation, had been foretold long ago and throughout history through the prophets. In fact, God knew exactly when to send Jesus.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6

People, throughout the ages, wondered when God would send the Messiah, send His salvation. They wondered why God didn’t act in their specific situation and why God would allow sin.

Today, we still wonder.

Why would God allow this?

When is Jesus returning?

God is still playing the long-game. He’s told us why.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

It’s not easy. It requires sacrifice. It requires not giving into the desire for immediate gratification. Yet, we know it’s good. We know it’s all done for our salvation.

Heavenly Father,

There are a lot of things I see around me which causes me to wonder why you would allow them. There are also things in my life which I would prefer you remove or would give. Help me to be patient. Help me to trust in Your plan.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

salvation

You Are My Child

God Promises A New Heart

A Tale of Two Persons

Not Just A Door

O, That You Would Be Willing

Restoration and Salvation

Water, Jesus, and Reality

The Rock

Jars Of Clay

The Long Game

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL